Daily Life of a Villain at Work [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: The Twentieth Day of the Villain Being Emperor

What should you do when you wake up and find Her Majesty still lying beside you?

Chu Xin’s face exploded into a brilliant crimson. She stammered, “Your… Your Majesty, is it time for the morning court?”

“The morning court should be over by now. We’ll have lunch directly in a while,” Wen Qingyun said, turning her head.

Seeing the marks she had intentionally left on Chu Xin’s fair neck, the corners of her mouth curved upward. She asked considerately, “Are you feeling any discomfort? Do you want me to grant you another day of leave?”

“No, there is no need. This subject can work normally,” Chu Xin said, propping herself up to sit up, trying to prove she was in good condition.

Wen Qingyun smiled but said nothing. She tossed aside the thin quilt, got out of bed, and began to dress herself.

Chu Xin, sitting on the bed, began a mental brainstorm. A moment later, she also climbed down and, wearing only her inner robes, began to help her Majesty dress. Wen Qingyun did not refuse; when Chu Xin tied her waist belt, she even cooperatively raised her arms.

But once Wen Qingyun was fully dressed, she reached for a set of python robes (mangpao) resting on the other side—garments that were seventy percent similar to imperial dragon robes—and began to dress Chu Xin in them without allowing for argument.

At first, Chu Xin didn’t recognize them and thought Her Majesty was forcing a dragon robe onto her. Realizing it was a robe embroidered with the four-clawed python, she breathed a sigh of relief. While python robes were still a massive breach of rank, they were at least better than wearing the dragon itself!

“Your Majesty, I… I can do it myself,” Chu Xin said dryly, trying to stop her.

“Don’t move,” Wen Qingyun commanded. “Raise your arms.”

Chu Xin instinctively obeyed. She watched as Her Majesty bent down to fasten her jade belt. After admiring the look for a moment, Wen Qingyun took out the warm jade that Chu Xin had held in her mouth for so long the previous night and hung it back onto the belt.

“This time, I am giving it to you. From now on, it belongs to you,” Wen Qingyun said with a smile, finally straightening Chu Xin’s collar.

Wen Qingyun placed her Imperial Winged Crown on her head. “Let’s go. Let’s get some fresh air outside. We woke up quite late today.”

Chu Xin dared not argue. She took her black gauze official hat, put it on, and followed Her Majesty submissively.

…

Leaving Jingren Palace, Wen Qingyun rarely chose to ride the imperial palanquin instead of a horse. Seeing Her Majesty reach out a hand toward her, Chu Xin tried her best to suppress her expression, maintaining a look of trepidation and obedience.

But Chu Xin had to admit: as she sat beside Her Majesty, her heart leaped with secret joy. This was a grave violation of protocol, but she found it impossible to resist such favoritism. Even if she were to be recorded in history as a “seductive traitor,” she was willing in this moment.

The palanquin moved slowly. Chu Xin expected they were heading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to handle business, but they passed by, heading toward the Hall of Preserving Harmony and the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Is Her Majesty escorting me to the Wenyuan Pavilion personally?

Chu Xin’s heart hammered as they passed officials who had not yet left the palace. The officials knelt in shock. Everyone had eyes; they could see two people on the imperial palanquin. One was the Emperor, and the other… Well, anyone with a brain knew it was Chu Xin.

“Your Majesty, where are we going?” Chu Xin whispered, her delight turning into anxiety. She didn’t want to bring criticism upon the Emperor.

“To the Hall of Military Prowess. If I’m not mistaken, today’s memorials are with Si Yu,” Wen Qingyun said. “Why? Are you in a hurry to get to work?”

“No… I just worry this will harm Your Majesty’s reputation…” Chu Xin lowered her head, her gaze falling on her left hand, which was being held by the Emperor.

“I do not care for my reputation after I am gone. I value the present more,” Wen Qingyun laughed. “Don’t worry. As long as I expand the borders during my reign, I will be remembered as an Emperor of the Ages.”

…

The next day, when Chu Xin appeared at the Hall of Supreme Harmony wearing the python robes and following the Emperor, most officials stared with eyes wide, unable to speak for a long time.

A censor finally knelt. “Your Majesty! I must impeach the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion for transgression and impropriety! She is actually wearing python robes!”

“Oh, I told her to wear them,” Wen Qingyun replied calmly. “Furthermore, starting today, Chu Xin is appointed as the Left Vice-Censor of the Censorate.”

The censor had prepared to be scolded, but he hadn’t prepared for the person he was impeaching to become his boss in the next second. He immediately kowtowed. “This subject… do not dare have any objections!”

“Your Majesty, I have a proposal,” Wang Yuejiao stepped forward, her voice booming. “Civil war is raging in Japan, and refugees are fleeing daily. I suggest we establish shelters on Sakhalin Island and near the Joseon border for them to rest.”

“What do you all think?” Wen Qingyun asked.

“This shows the magnanimity of a great nation. I agree,” Si Yu said as the Minister of Rites.

The civil officials quickly realized the goal: Wen Qingyun was looking for a “just cause.” By taking in refugees and “seeking justice” for the Japanese people, she would have a perfect excuse to invade. Like the Great Ancestor’s handling of Joseon, she intended to turn Japan into a submissive vassal state.

…

After the session, the officials made a path for Master Chu (Chu Xin’s father) to speak with his daughter. The two walked toward the Wenyuan Pavilion.

“What is with the python robes?” Master Chu whispered, staring at the embroidery. These were “bestowed robes,” usually reserved for the highest-ranking officials of the first rank.

Chu Xin rubbed her nose. “Father… Her Majesty is quite fond of me.”

“But this is too fast!” Master Chu began, but then his eyes caught the familiar marks on his daughter’s neck. He froze. His voice began to tremble. “Who… who were you with last night?”

Chu Xin coughed. “The night before last, and last night… I was with Her Majesty.”

Master Chu sucked in a breath of cold air. Instant realization hit him.

His youngest daughter had “served the bed”! And Her Majesty was clearly satisfied!

He realized that Her Majesty didn’t want to trap his daughter in the harem, so instead, she was giving her the power and the robes of a First-Rank official to keep her by her side in the government.